Fire Danger
Page 22
She shook her head. “No. I will stand by your side. You will not stop being what you are. It’s important. Please, Aleric. I love you too much to allow that.”
There was never a question of refusing her. “If you’re sure, my love. I want to be with you. I’ll sacrifice whatever I have to.”
Brienne gave them a small, private smile. “Your sacrifice may not be necessary.”
Phoenix cocked his head, his confusion plain on his face. “What do you mean?”
“There is another part of that legend. The story tells that when Phoenix tears bring a person back to life, their life essence merges with the Phoenix. That person will live as long as Phoenix does. It’s never been proven.” She shrugged. “Time will tell.”
“Be careful who you cry on,” Fenley said.
Phoenix faced the group of wolves. “I owe you and your pack more than I can ever repay,” he said to Fenley, his voice firm. “Anything you need, just ask.”
Fenley shrugged, but he had a satisfied look on his face. “In these dark times it is good to have the Elementals to call on. I will remember your promise.” He gestured to Rachel, who came forward, reluctantly releasing her hold on Phoenix. To her surprise Fenley lifted her into his arms and held her gently. There was moisture in his eyes. “Take care of Phoenix, lovely lady. I don’t think your part in this saga has ended.”
“Nor yours,” Phoenix said.
“What comes next?” Rachel asked of Phoenix. “What about Farouk?”
Kamal’s expression was grim. “I will find him. He is mine.” The look on his face said that Farouk would not survive the encounter.
Phoenix studied Kamal for a long moment. “He will die.”
“Yes.”
“You can’t stay here,” Fenley said. “You should hide out for a little while until she’s stronger.”
“I would show Rachel some of the world,” Phoenix said. “We won my Challenge, but this is far from over. There are still three other Challenges to win. We don’t know their outcomes yet. I would do this in case…”
In case they needed to fight a final Challenge. In case that final Challenge ended the world. If one fails, they all fail. It should have terrified her, but as long as she had her fire Elemental, it would work out. They would face it together. Neither one of them were alone anymore. She wanted to spend her life with him and never be separated.
“You won,” Fenley said again. “You did your part. You deserve a brief rest. There is more to come if the final Challenge comes. Pray your counterparts win their battles.” Fenley cleared his throat. “We don’t believe in human marriage, but there is a werewolf tradition of handfasting to show our commitment to each other. I perform the ceremony.”
The implications took a minute for Rachel to absorb. Phoenix, on the other hand, looked startled, and then his eyes widened.
“Char and…” Phoenix broke off as if belatedly realizing how his oath might sound. “Time may be against us, Rachel. Let’s make it legal. What do you say? Will you mate with me?”
She thought she should pretend indignation, but nothing but relief flowed through her. “What if time weren’t against us?”
“I’m a warrior, an Elemental. I don’t have much skill with feminine things. Even then I’d want to plan something grander. But right now I just want to be with you. Join your life with mine, my beloved. Let me love you for as many or as few years as we have left together.”
There was only one answer, and as she wrapped her arms around him, it shone around them like clear, brilliant white light flecked, as always, with fire.
“Yes.”
With the other wolves and her grandfather as witnesses, Rachel and Phoenix turned to face the werewolf to join their hearts and hands as one. Whatever time there was left to them, they would be together.
About the Author
Claire has written on and off for most of her life, starting with fan fiction when she was very young. She writes across a wide range of genres, and does not consider any of it off limits or out of reach. If a story calls to her, she will write it. She currently lives in Los Angeles and spends her free time writing novels and short stories, as well as doing animal rescue and enjoying the sunshine. Claire’s website is www.clairedavon.com.
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This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
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Fire Danger
Copyright © 2016 by Claire Davon
ISBN: 978-1-61923-511-3
Edited by Jennifer Miller
Cover by Kanaxa
All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
First Samhain Publishing, Ltd. electronic publication: June 2016
www.samhainpublishing.com
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